In Depth

The first lecture of Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis' Distinguished Speaker Series will feature an armed
conflict and counter-terrorism specialist and international law consultant. Lt. Col. David Benjamin, recently retired from
the Israel Defense Forces after 17 years, will speak about Israel's fight against terrorism in the event, "The Charge
of the Lawyers' Brigade" on Oct. 22.

Before his retirement in February, Benjamin served as director of the Strategic and International Affairs Branch in the IDF
International Law Department, where he headed a team of military lawyers dealing with foreign relations, economic and humanitarian
affairs, and international military cooperation. Benjamin worked as chief legal advisor for the Gaza Strip from 2001 to 2005;
he also briefly served as a military court judge, and spent some time working in civil litigation in a Tel Aviv law firm.

Benjamin has dealt with many of the cutting-edge issues of international law being faced by democratic states fighting non-state
terrorist actors and has expertise in numerous areas of law, including counter-terrorism law and the law of belligerent occupation.

He received his master's degree in law from Tel Aviv University and bachelor's degree in political studies and law
from the University of Cape Town. He's also a licensed attorney in Israel.

Benjamin's lecture will help set the scene for the counter-terrorism simulation exercise being conducted on Oct. 23.
The law school and IU's School of Public and Environmental Affairs are co-sponsoring the simulation, which will involve
law and public policy students. Participants will work side-by-side with local and state government officials to respond to
a simulated national counter-terrorism threat.

The Oct. 22 lecture begins at 5 p.m. in the Wynne Courtroom in the law school, 530 W. New York St., Indianapolis. One hour
of CLE credit is available. Those interested in attending need to RSVP by calling (317) 278-3400.